What Cactus League spring training is
Cactus League spring training is the collective name for the preseason exhibition games that a group of Major League Baseball teams play across the Phoenix metro area, including Scottsdale, each year before the regular season begins. It is generally treated as a more relaxed, lower-stakes version of watching Major League Baseball, with smaller stadiums, easier ticket access, and a more casual atmosphere than a regular-season game.
The exact roster of participating teams and their spring facilities can shift over time as franchises occasionally relocate their spring training operations, so it is worth confirming current team-to-stadium assignments before building a trip entirely around a specific matchup.
Scottsdale Stadium and the Giants
Scottsdale Stadium sits in the Old Town area and has generally been the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants, making it one of the more walkable stadium options if you are already staying near Old Town Scottsdale. Its downtown-adjacent location is fairly distinct among Cactus League venues, several of which sit in more suburban or standalone settings.
Because it is centrally located and tied to a well-known franchise, tickets for popular matchups can sell out or become harder to find as the season approaches, so checking availability early is generally a good idea for anyone with a specific game in mind.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is generally described as a shared spring training facility used by both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies, and it sits a bit further from Old Town than Scottsdale Stadium. Sharing one facility between two franchises means the site typically hosts a wide range of matchups across the spring schedule, which can be useful if you want flexibility in which team you see.
Because the facility is shared, it is worth double-checking which team is playing on which date before finalizing plans, since the schedule alternates through the spring rather than dedicating the stadium to a single franchise.
Season timing and general planning
Cactus League spring training generally runs from around mid-to-late February through March, overlapping with what is typically considered the start of Scottsdale's high season, discussed in more detail in the best time to visit Scottsdale guide. This overlap means lodging, rental cars, and even restaurant reservations can be noticeably tighter during peak spring training weeks than during quieter months.
Weekday day games are often a somewhat easier ticket than weekend games, and single-team fan bases with strong followings can drive up demand for specific matchups, so building in some flexibility around dates is generally a sensible approach if a particular game is not a must-see.
Tickets and logistics at a high level
Ticket pricing and availability for Cactus League games change from year to year and even game to game, so it is best to check each team's or stadium's official ticketing page directly for current information rather than relying on a fixed price point. Many stadiums also offer general lawn or berm seating alongside reserved seats, which can be a lower-cost, more casual way to take in a game.
Parking, gate times, and any bag or entry policies also vary by venue and can change season to season, so confirming current logistics on the stadium's own site shortly before a visit is generally the more reliable approach. If a spring training trip is only part of a longer Scottsdale visit, it can help to check the 3-day itinerary for ideas on filling out the rest of the days around game dates, or the golf guide if you want to pair a game with a round.